Folding go-cart or baby-carriage.



A. E. MUGILL.

FOLDING GO-UART 0R BABY CARRIAGE.

APPLICATION FILED IBBJB, 1909.

Patented Feb. 18, 1913.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

MW @Mill/z' Wm A. E. MoGILL.

v FOLDING GO-GART 0R. BABY CARRIAGE.

APPLICATION FILED PEB. 13, 1909.

Patented Feb. 18, 1913.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

kw E mlm. 1% H |l. lil o` A N MS N ,NQ V ,5% 5N. i H 1 kw uw QN A. E.MoGILL.

FOLDING GO-GART 0R BABY CARRIAGE.

APPLIOATION IILBD PBBJB. 1909.

1,053,423 Patented Feb. 18, 1913.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

A. E. MoGILL.

Patented Feb. 18, 1913.V

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

A. E. MGGILL.

FOLDING GO-GART 0B. BABY CARRIAGE.

APPLICATION FILED 113.13, 1909. 1,053,423. Patented Feb. 18, 1913.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

A. E. MGGILL.

, FOLDING GO-GART 0R BABY CARRIAGE.

APPLICATION FILED 113.13, 1909.

1,053,423. 1 e1e111ee1 m1111913.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

:lumu

coLuMalA PLANDGRAPH :o..wASHlNuToN. D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT E. lVIcGILL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ALWINMANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

FOLDING GO-CART OR BABY-CARRIAGE.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it lnown that I, ALBERT E. MCGILL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding GoCarts orBaby-Carriages, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in folding go-carts or babycarriages, and the primary object of the same is to provide an improveddevice of this character which may be compactly folded for storage orshipping purposes.

A further object is to provide an improved device of this characterincluding wheel supports foldable with respect to the supporting frame,and a handle also foldable with respect to the frame, and improved meanswhereby the unfolding of the handle will automatically unfold and lockthe wheel supports.

A further object is to provide an improved adjustable rigid back for theseat, which is capable of being adjusted to various positions, andimproved means for sup-. porting and securing the back in its adjustedposition. j

A further object is to provide an improved adjustable rigid back whichis adapted to be automatically folded between the seat and thesupporting frame by the folding movement of the handle, so that the seatand back will be substantially flat with respect to the frame.

A further object is to provide an adjustable foot rest, and improvedmeans fo-r securing the foot rest in position.

To the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new anduseful objects, as will appear, the invention consists in the featuresof novelty in the construction, combination and arrangement of theseveral parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and shown inthe accompanying drawings illustrating the embodiment of the invention,and in which- Figure l is a side elevation of an improved cart of thischaracter, constructed in accordance with the principles of thisinvention, and showing the same in full lines in an unfolded position orposition for use, and showing in dotted lines the back and foot rest inan adjusted position. Fig. 2 is a top Specification of 'Letters Patent.

Application filed February 13, 1909.

Patented Feb. 18, 1913.

Serial No. 477,526.

plan View of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side eleva tion similar to Fig. 1,showing the cart in a partially folded or unfolded position. Fig. l isan end elevation of a cart in a collapsed or folded position. Fig. 5 isa rear end elevation partly broken away of Fig. l. Fig. 6 is a detailsectional view on line 66 of Fig. l. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail endelevation partly in section, showing the locking mechanism for the wheelsupports, and the mechanism for automatically unfolding the wheelsupports during the unfolding movement of the handle. Fig. 8 is a detailperspective view of one of the catches for locking the parts in positionfor use. Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail sectional view on line .9-9 ofFig. 5. Fig. 1() is a detail perspective View of the supporting casingfor the cam which locks the back in position. Fig. 11 is an enlargeddetail sectional view of the foot rest and the supporting mechanism,showing the foot rest in dotted lines in an adjusted position. Fig. l2is a detail perspective view of the support and locking member for thefoot rest. Fig. 13 is a detail elevation showing the manner ofautomatically unfolding the wheel supports with the latter in apartially unfolded position. Fig. 14 is ay detail View partly in sectionand partly in elevation of one extremity of the side bars of the seatsupport structure showing the manner of connecting the telescopingextension thereto.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, and in the presentexempliiication of the invention, the main supporting frame comprisesspaced side bars 20 which are connected at their forward ends by meansof a connecting portion 21, which portion may be either integral withthe side bars, or may be a separate member connected to the extreinities of the side bars. The other eX- tremities of the side bars 20are connected by means of the cro-ss bar 22, which bar also serves as ameans for pivotally connecting the extremities of the side arms 23 ofthe handle 24 to the running gear frame.

Rotatably mounted upon each of the side bars 20 are wheel supports 25,i6, which are spaced from each other longitudinally of the frame. Thewheel supports on each side of the supporting frame are adapted to foldand unfold in unison with respect to the supporting frame,

leo

and for this purpose the respective wheel supports are connected in anydesired or suitable manner, preferably by means of the tubular members27 which surround the respective side bars 20, and these members 27 alsoserve to hold the respective wheel supports 25, 26 spaced from eachother. In o-rder to limit the outward unfolding movement of the wheelsupports, and to properly position them with respect to the supportingframe, a suitable stop 28 may be provided on each of the side bars 20adjacent one of the wheel supports, preferably the forward wheel support25, which are adapted to be engaged by projections 29 on the respectivewheel supports.

Secured to each of the rear wheel supports is a clip comprising spacedmembers 30, 31, and this clip preferably opens toward the rear end ofthe supporting frame. One of the arms or members, preferably the member30 of the clip projects only for a short distance beyond the wheelsupport, and the extremity 32 thereof (see Fig. 7) is slightly deflectedoutwardly so as to form a guide for directing the locking member or bailinto the clip, as will be presently described. The other member 31 ofthe clip is preferably of a length somewhat greater than the member 30,and is bent or curved upwardly toward the side bars 20 of the supportingframe and the extremity 33 of the member 31 terminates adjacent and inclose proximity to the respective member 20 of the main supportingframe, so that when the wheel supports are folded or unfolded withrespect to the main supporting frame, the adjacent extremity 33 of themember 31 moves about and in close proximity to the periphery of therespective side bars 20 of the main supporting frame. The clip thusformed is spaced any desired distance below the side bars 20, accordingto the length o-f the locking bail it is desired to use. The shortermember 32 of the clip is preferably located toward the inside, andpivotally supported by each of the side bars 20, as at 34, is a lockingarm 35 which depends below the running gear frame and the lower yextremities of these locking arms may be connected as at 36 (sce Figs. 5and 7) to form a locking bail, and a suitable brace 37 may be providedfor bracing the arms and the bail to resist lateral strain of the wheelsupports. The locking arms 35 are each provided with a portion 38 whichextends above the side bars 20 and beyond the pivots 34 for any desireddistance, and a link 39 is provided for each of the extensions 38, oneextremity of the link being pivotally connected to the respectiveextremity 38 at one end, and its other end to the respective arm 23 ofthe handle 24, so that when the handle is moved about its point ofpivotal support 22, the links VV39 will move the locking arms 35 abouttheir points of pivotal support into or out of engagement with therespective clips on the wheel suppo-rts for automatically locking orunlocking the wheel supports.

In order to automatically unfold the wheel supports during the unfoldingmovement of the handle 24, a cam or projection 40 is provided or securedto each of the arms 35 so as to project forwardly and inwardly towardthe center of the running gear frame and away from the respective wheelsupports. Vhen the handle is moved forwardly and downwardly to fold thesame (as shown in Fig. 3), the arms 35 will be moved toward the rear ofthe supporting frame and the respective cams or projections 40 willproject in a downwardly direction with respect to the main supportingframe when the handle is folded. After the handle is folded the wheelsupports may be folded upon the running gear frame, and when in thisfolded position, the respective arm 31 of the clip will engage t-heextremity of the respective cam or projection 40. When it is desired tounfold the` wheel supports, all that is necessary is to unfold thehandle 24 which unfolding movement will swing the locking arms 35 abouttheir pivots so as to depend below the running gear frame. This movementof the lock'- ing arms 35 will cause the cams or projectio-ns 40 to moveunder or in engagement with the extended arm 31 of the respective clipsand move the same outwardly, causing the wheel supports 26 to moveoutwardly or unfold into a position for use. By the time the wheelsupports have assumed the proper position for use, the clips comprisingthe arms 30, 31 will have assumed a position to receive the respectivelocking arm 35 to automatically lock the wheel supports in position, thebent or deected extremities 32 of the arm 30 serving as a means todirect the arms into the respective clips.

A seat supporting structure is mounted upon the running gear frame andpreferably comprises side bars or members 41, to one extremity of whichis secured a clip 42 having a body portion wit-hin which is provided aslot 43 having a projection 44 extending thereinto to form a shoulder45, as sho-wn more clearly in Figs. 11 and 12. This member 42 ispreferably provided with curved or deiected portions 4G, 47, which areadapted to extend over the extremities of the side bars or members 4l,and is secured to the respective member by means of suitable fasteningdevices 48, such as screws or the like, which pass through suit-ableapertures 49 in the member and into the respective side bars. One end 50of the member 42 is provided with a deiiected extremity 51, which isadapted to pass through a suitable aperture in a clip 52, which latteris preferably secured to the connecting bar 21 at the forward end of therunning gear frame, and this clip, together with the detlected extremity51 of the member 42, form hinges or pivotal support-s for the seatsupporting structure. The side bars 41 of the seat supporting structureare tubular and extending into these tubular portio-ns are arms 53 whichare connected by means of a cross-bar or member 54, which latter ispivotally connected as at 55a to the respective arm 53, a portion of thecross-bar or member 54 coinciding with each of the arms 53, so that thearms 53 may be telescoped into the respective bars or members 41 so thatthe pivoted co-nnection 55Z1 will pass into the tubular arm t0 hold thecross-bar 54 rigid. A seat 55 is supported from the side bars 41,preferably by means of a flexible member 56, the ends of which areadapted' to engage over suitable bars or members 57, which are supportedby and spaced from the side members 41.

The seat supporting structure is supported at its free end by means ofyielding and deflect-able uprights or braces comprising a bar or member58, one end of which is pivotally connected to each of the side bars ormembers 41, by means of a clip 59. The other extremity is adapted topass through a tubular member 60, which is supported upon the runninggear frame to move longitudinally thereof. Surrounding the bar or member58 is a sleeve 61, and disposed between the sleeve 61 and the member 58is an elastic member 62, such as a coil spring o-r the like. Supportedby each of the sleeves 61 is a clip 63, and extending across the frameand connecting these clips is a bar or rod 64. The bottom of the seat 55is provided with projecting clips or ingers 65 which are adapted toengage over the bar or member 64 to prevent displacement of the bottomof the seat.

The seat is provided with a back 66 which is pivotally supported, as at67, preferably by the cross-bar 64, and is adapted to swing within thespace formed by the side members 41 of the seat supporting structure,and to be held in operative position by the crossbar 50, which connectsthe arms 53 so that the cross-bar will rest against the rear face of theback of the seat. Spaced from the rear face of the seat back is a member67 which is preferably in the form of a thin strip of metal, as shownmore clearly in Fig. 5. l

A support having side members 68 and a connecting member 69 is providedwith apertures 70 in the sides 68 through which apertures the cro-ss bar50 which connects the arms 53 passes and the apertures 70 are ofdiameters somewhat greater than the diameter of the cross-bar 50. A caln71 is pivotally supported between the extremities of the side members 68and is provided with a handle 72 for operating the cam, and this cam isadapted to move the support so as to clamp the member 67 between thebase 69 of the support and the cross-bar 50 to hold the back of the seatin any desired anglo of inclination with respect to the seat.

The back of the seat may be lowered from the position shown in fulllines in Fig. 1 to that shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 by releasing theclamp and drawing the arms 53 out of the tubular side arms or members 41of the seat supporting structure a suliicient distance to cause thepivots 55a to clear the extremity of the tubular side arms 41, afterwhich the cross-bar 50 and the arms 54 may be moved about their pointsof pivotal support to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 topermit the back of the seat to be lowered. wWhen thus lowered, the seatback may be held in position by adjusting the cam 71. When the seat backis in position as shown in full lines in Fig. 1, the arms 53 may be heldtelescoped with the side arms 41 of the seat supporting structure andthe back secured in position by the cam 71.

The yielding and deflectable braces or uprights for the seat supportingstructure have a sliding engagement with the running gear trame and forthis purpose there are provided clips or collars 7 4 which surround theside barsl of the running gear frame and are each provided with upwardlyprojecting ears 75, shown mo-re clearly in Fig. 2, having apertures 76therein.

L-shaped links 77 are provided, one extremity of which is pivotallyconnected as at 7 8 to the side bars 23 of the handle 24. The otherportions 79 of the links are arranged at substantially right angles tothe portion 77 and are adapted to pass through the apertures 76 in therespective ears 75 of the clips or collars 74, and the extremities ofthese portions 7 9 are connected by means of a turn buckle or collar S0.Vith this improved construction it will be apparent that the links 77may be properly shaped and may be threaded through the respectiveapertures from the outside of the frame and their adjacent extremitiesmay be then connected by the turn buckle or collar for securing the barsin position. Vith this improved construction it will be apparent thatwhen the handle bar is moved forwardly and downwardly into a foldedposition with respect to the running` gear frame, the links or members77 will slide the respective clips or collars 74 on the side bars of therunning gear frame to deflect the uprights or braces by causing thelower ends thereof to be moved forwardly, so that the braces will fallbetween the side bars 41 of the seat supporting struct-ure and theruiming gear frame, and at the same time the back 66 of the seat willalso be folded between the side bars 41 of the seat supporting structureand the running gear frame. "When the handle is moved in the opposite orunfolded direction, the clips or collars 74 will be moved in theopposite direction on the running gear frame to raise the seatsupporting structure and to position the baclt .66.

In order to hold the seat supporting structure in position for use,suitable mechanism must be provided for locking the bars in suchposition. A simple and efficient means for accomplishing this resultcomprises a air of catches, each of Which comprises a ody portion 81,one extremity 82 of which is preferably provided with an inclined lowerextremity 83 having a downwardly opening notch 84 adjacent the inclinedend. The other end 85 of the body portion 81 is bent upon itself to forma foot treadle, designated generally by the reference numeral 86. Theextremity 85 of the member 81 is provided with an aperture 87, and thebody portion 81 is provided with an aperture 88, which is adapted toregister with the aperture 87. These catches are pivotally supportedadjacent each of the side bars of the running gear frame in any suitablemanner, preferably by means of the cross-bar 22 which passes through therespective registering apertures 87, 88. These catches are preferablysecured to the crossbars 22 by frictional engagement therewith, so thatwhen one of the catches is operated, the other will be operated inunison therewith. Suitable elastic members 89 may be provided whichsurround the cross-bar 22, with one extremity connected to therespective side bar 2O of the running gear frame, and the otherextremity engages the respect-ive catch and tends normally to hold thefree end of the catch in engagement with the respective side bar of therunning gear frame. The catches are so located that the inclinedextremities 83 will stand within the path of the rearward movement ofthe portion of the end 79 of the link 77 which extends across the sidebars of the running gear frame between the ears of the clip 74, so thatwhen the clips or collars 74 are moved to the rear-in the manner alreadyset forth, the member 79 between the ears 75 will engage the inclinedfaces 83 of the catches and rock the latter so that the notches 84therein will engage over the members 79 to automatically lock the seatsupporting structure and the handle in position for use. During thisunfolding movement of the handle and of the seat supporting structure,the wheel supports will be automatically unfolded and locked in themanner already set forth. As the back 66 of the seat is folded, theclips 65 will ride.

upwardly along the edges of the back to permit the bottom 55 of the seatto discrigage the cross-bar G4 and thereby permit the back and seat tobe folded with respect to each other.

A foot rest designated generally by the numeral 90 is provided withiexible sides 91, and is supported at one extremity, as at 92, by meansof the seat 55. The forward extremity of the foot rest is adjustablysupported by means of iexible arms comprising a section 93 which ispivotally secured as at 94 by one extremity to the side bars 41 of theseat supporting structure. The other section 95 of the foot rest supportis pivotally connected as at 96 between its extremities to the extremityof the section 93. Projecting laterally from the extremity 97 of thesection 96 is a pin or lug 98, which extends into and is adapted to movewit-hin the slot 43 in the member 42, and this projecting lug 98 isadapted to pass over the projection 44so as to engage the shoulder 45 tolock the section 95 in an upright position, as shown in dotted lines inFig. 11. The free extremities of the sections 95 are preferably bentback upon themselves, as at 99, and a tie-rod or member 100 passesthrough the extremities of the sections and the portions 99 thereof forconnecting the sections 95 for movement in unison. The free end of thefoot rest is connected to the cross-bar or rod 100, as shown moreclearly in Figs. 2 and 11, so that when the sections 95 are moved intothe upright position shown in Fig. 11, the free end of the foot restwill be correspondingly raised so as to cause the bottom of the footrest to form a continuation of the seat 55, and in substantially thesame plane thereof. lith this improved construction it will be apparentthat when the foot rest is in the position shown in dotted lines inFigs. 1 and 11, and the back 66 is shown in the position shown in dottedlines in Fig. 1, the occupant will lie substantially fiat. lVhen thefoot rest is lowered to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 11, thefree or outer extremities of the sections 95 of the support will engageand rest upon the cross or connecting bar 21 between the forwardextremities of the side bars 20 of the running gear frame to support thefront of the foot rest.

When the handle and seat supporting structure and back are folded in themanner already set forth, the bottom of the foot rest may be forced intosubstantially the same plane with the bottom of the scat to crush orcollapse the iexible sides 91 and thereby permit the wheel supports 25,2G to be folded flat against the bott-om face of the running gear frame.

Then it is desired to lower the foot rest from the position shown indotted lines in Fig. 11, all that is necessary is to raise the sections95, which will cause the sections 93 to turn about their pivot 94 toraise the lateral projections 96 away from the shoulders 45 and over theprojections 44, after which the free extremities of the sections 95 willfall into the position shown in full lines in F ig. 11, with their freeextremities resting upon the connecting or cross-bar 21.

In order to prevent the seat 55 from jumping up and down under theiniiuence of the elasticity of the deflectable brace for the seatsupporting structure, suitable flexible members 101, such as straps, orthe like, may be provided, which pass through suitable clips or eyes 102on the bottom of the seat and around the side bars of the frame of thesupporting structure. rIhese flexible members 101 may be provided withbuckles 103, if desired, whereby the members may be lengthened orshortened to regulate the movement of the seat with respect to therunning gear frame.

The arm 53 of the extension for supporting the back 66 is provided witha shoulder 532L at one extremity thereof, which is of a diameter greaterthan the'diameter of the arm 53, so as to fit within the tubular sidebars 41, and the extremities of each of the side bars 41 are flangedinwardly as at 41a, so as to form stops which are engaged by theshoulders 53a to preventdisengagement of the extension with respect tothe side bars 41.

In order that the invention might be .fully understood, the details ofthe foregoing embodiment thereof have been thus specifically describedbut What is claimed as new is- 1. In a folding go-cart, the combinationof a supporting frame, wheel supports foldable with respect to theframe, a locking member for the wheel supports depending below theframe, a catch adapted to be engaged by said locking member, one of themembers of the catch projecting beyond the wheel supports and extendingfor some distance from the wheel support in a direction longitudinallywith respect to the frame, and means supported by the locking member andadapted to engage the said projecting member to automatically unfold andlock the wheel supports.

2. In a folding go-cart, the combination of a supporting frame, wheelsupports foldable with respect to the frame, a locking member for thewheel supports depending below the frame, a catch adapted to receive thesaid locking member, said catch having a projecting portion and a camoperatively related to the locking member and adapted to engage the saidportion for automatically unfolding the wheel supports.

3. In a folding go-cart, the combination of a supporting frame, wheelsupports foldable with respect to the frame, a locking member for thewheel supports depending below the frame, a catch for receiving thelocking member, said catch comprising spaced members, one of the membersextending for some distance beyond the wheel supports and in a directionlongitudinally of the frame, and means operatively related to thelocking member adapted to engage said projecting member toautomaticallyunfold the wheel supports.

4. In a folding go-cart, the combination of a supporting frame, wheelsupports foldable with respect to the frame, a locking member for thewheel supports depending below the frame, a clip for receiving thelocking member, said clip comprising spaced members supported by thewheel supports below the frame, one of the members of the clip extendingtoward the frame and for some distance in a direction longitudinally ofthe frame, and a cam supported by the locking member and adapted toengage the extended member of the clip to automatically unfold the wheelsupports.

5. In a folding go-cart, the combination of a supporting frame, wheelsupports foldable with respect to t-he frame, a locking member for thewheel supports depending below the frame, a clip for receiving thelocking member supported by the wheel supports below the frame, saidclip being provided with a portion extending toward the frame and forsome distance in a direction longitudinally of the frame, a handlefoldable with respect to the frame, means whereby the folding andunfolding movement of the handle will automatically unlock and lock thewheel supports, and a cam supported by the locking member and adapted toengage the extended portion of the clip when the wheel supports arefolded to automatically unfold the wheel supports.

6. In a folding go-cart, the combination of a supporting frame, a pairof wheel supports on each side of the frame and foldable with respect tothe frame, means whereby the supports of each pair will fold in unison,a locking member for the wheel supports depending below the frame, aclip supported by the wheel supports below the frame for receiving thelocking member, said clip being provided with a portion extending towardthe frame and for some distance longitudinally of the frame, a handlefoldable with respect to the frame, means whereby the folding andunfolding movement of the handle will automatically unlock and lock thewheel supports, and a cam supported by the locking member and adapted toengage the extended portion of the clip when the wheel supports arefolded to automatically unfold the wheel supports,

7. In a folding go-cart, the combination of a supporting frame, a pairof wheel supports on each side of the frame and foldable with respect tothe frame, means whereby the supports of each pair will fold in unison,a locking member for the wheel support-s depending below the frame, aclip supported by the wheel supports below the frame for receiving thelocking member, said clip being provided with a portion extending towardthe frame and for some distance in a direction longitudinally of theframe, a handle foldable with respect to the frame, a portion of thelocking member extending above the frame, a connection between saidportion of the locking member and the handle whereby the folding andnnfolding movement of the handle will automatically unlock and lock thewheel supports and a cam supported by the locking member and adapted toengage the extended portion of the clip when the wheel supports arefolded to automatically unfold the wheel supports.

8. In a folding go-cart, the combination of a supporting frame, wheelsupports foldable with respect to the frame, a locking member for thewheel supports depending below the frame, a clip for receiving thelocking member, said clip comprising spaced members supported by one ofthe wheel supports below and spaced from the frame, one of the membersof the clip extending toward the frame and for some distance in adirection longitudinally of the frame and terminating adjacent theframe, and a cam supported by the locking member and adapted to engagethe extended member of the clip to automatically unfold the wheelsupports.

9. In a folding go-cart, the combination of a supporting frame, wheelsupports foldable with respect to the frame, a locking member for thewheel supports depending below the frame, a clip for receiving thelocking member and supported by the wheel supports below the frame, saidclip being provided with a portion extending toward the frame and forsome distance in a direction longitudinally of the frame, a handlefcldable with respect to the frame, means whereby the folding andunfolding movement of the handle will automatically unlock and lock thewheel supports, and a cam supported by the locking member and adapted toengage the extended portion of the clip when the wheel supports arefolded to automatically unfold the wheel supports, said portion of theclip being disposed in close proximity to the handle.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 8th day of February A. D.1909.

ALBERT E. MCGILL.

Witnesses:

J. H. JOCHUM, J r., C. H. SEEM.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. G.

